ANSERES. 79 



the lake become very tame^ one pair in particular readily taking a 

 worm from my outstretched hand, and constantly coming close to 

 the hovise for food. Nothing can exceed the pureness and delicacy of 

 their plumage when in full feather. It is doubtful whether this kind 

 ever visits the sea-coast." — Travers. 



Sterna. L. 



Bill, long, slightly arched, frontal feathers advancing close to the nostrils ; tail, long, 

 forked ; tarsi, short ; toes united bj an indented web, hind toe very short. 

 All parts of the world. 



114. Sterna easpia. PaU. 



Caspian Tern. Tara-nui. 



White, with the back and wings ash-grey ; top of the head, black in the spring, but 

 white, spotted with black, during the rest of the year ; bill, red ; legs, black. 



L., 24; W., Ifi; B., 3-75; T., 2. 



JSffff. — Greyish -white, sparingly spotted with dark-grey and brown; length, 2'6 ; 

 breadth, 1 75. 



Sab. — North America, South Africa, Australia, South Europe, India. 



" The history of this fine Tern has already been so fully written 

 that I deem it sufficient to record here that it occurs all round the 

 New Zealand coasts, where its habits are the same as in other parts of 

 the globe. It is usually met with in pairs ; but I have occasionally 

 observed parties of five or more resting on the sands near the mouths 

 of our tidal rivers. It subsists entirely on small fish, for which it 

 plunges into the water with considerable force ; and at certain seasons 

 it is accustomed to follow the shoals of sprats far up the river-courses, 

 where it may be seen hovering lightly over the water in pursuit of its 

 finny prey, and occasionally alighting to rest on a jutting stump or 

 projecting point of rock. I have observed that, on the wing, this 

 species does not move its head to and fro in the manner of the 

 smaller Terns, but carries it vertically, with its powerful beak point- 

 ing downwards. When resting on the ground the apparently dis- 

 proportionate head gives the bird an ungainly appearance : but this 

 disappears the moment the wings are expanded ; and the flight, which 

 is generally performed in wide circles, may be described as very easy 

 and graceful. Its ordinary cry is harsh and unmusical, consisting of 

 a loud rasping note ; at other times it utters a long peevish squeal or 

 whistling cry." — Buller. 



115. Sterna frontalis. Graj/. 



Sea-Swallow. Taka. 

 White ; back and wings, ash ; top of the head, black ; a white line over the bill ; bill, 

 black ; legs and feet, reddish-brown. 

 L., 15 ; W., 10-5 ; B., 2-25 ; T., 75. 



^£fff- — Yellowish-brown, blotched with grey and black; length, 1-85 ; breadth, 1'35. 

 Sab. — Both Islands. 



